Animals are causing just under £1 million of damage to over-50s' vehicles every year, according to specialist insurer Saga. Last year, it handled around 500 car insurance claims involving those of the feathered, hoofed and horned variety. Here are some of the most bizarre claims raised by Saga customers over the last year.

One Saga customer parked in a car park on Dartmoor and set off for a hike. On returning, he found a dozen horses licking the paintwork off his car! The horses had caused an incredible £1,200-worth of damage.

One cow could have earned itself a prize when taken to a cattle show, but it got spooked and bolted. It uprooted the post that it was tied to, dragged it around the parking area and caused damage to its owner's car, which cost £800 to put right.

Even the cuddliest characters can cause car concerns. When one policyholder started her car, she heard a strange noise coming from the bonnet. She got out to investigate, and saw a cat running away – and later discovered that the cute kitty had caused a staggering £4,000-worth of damage to her car.

Duck! One driver swerved to avoid a low-flying mallard and crashed their vehicle into a stone bridge. The resulting damage from the incident came with a hefty repair bill of £1,500.

While collisions with deer are far from unheard of, one customer got very unlucky when they braked just in time to avoid hitting a stag which had leaded onto the road. However, a second stag then ran straight into their stationary car. Both stags left the scene, with £2,000-worth of damage in their wake. If you do hit a deer on the road, remember to report the accident to the police. They will have the deer removed, as it may be causing a hazard for other drivers.